Niti Aayog Set To Finalize Plans For Agriculture And Education Sectors

According to a government release, the Niti Aayog's governing council, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will meet on Sunday to discuss and finalize action plans on issues related to farming, education, and urban governance.

On these themes, a roadmap and an outcome-driven action plan will be attempted to be finalized at the seventh meeting of the governing council.

Chief Ministers are expected to attend the meeting, where topics to be covered include crop diversification, self-sufficiency in oilseeds, pulses, and agri-communities, as well as the implementation of the national education policy, including school and higher education.

The meeting is to be held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre and is the first in-person meeting of the policy think tank’s governing council since July 2019. The government stated that the need for the states to be flexible, resilient, and independent as they work toward "AatmaNirbhar Bharat" in a spirit of cooperative federalism has increased as India celebrates 75 years of independence.

The meeting will pave the way for synergies towards a new era of collaboration and cooperation between the Centre, states, and union territories in its efforts to strive towards establishing a solid, sustainable, and inclusive India.

In June, Modi presided over a national conference of chief secretaries in Dharamshala as part of the preparations for the meeting. The statement continued, "The governing council meeting is particularly crucial as we enter Amrit Kaal against the backdrop of the covid-19 pandemic and in view of India hosting the G20 Presidency and summit next year."

The significance of the Presidency for the federal system and the part that states can play in showcasing their advancement on the G-20 platform will also be emphasized at the meeting.

The premier body charged with developing a common understanding of national priorities and plans with the active participation of states and union territories is Niti Aayog's governing council. The government added that it provides a forum for talking about cross-sectoral, cross-departmental, and national issues.